Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The consideration of decommissioning the reactors of Mihama Nuclear Power Station
• The issue of comfort women
• The issue alleviating the Burden of the Bases in Okinawa
• The reinvestigation of the abduction issue
• The Japan-China relations

REPORTER: Reports suggest that the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., is considering decommissioning the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors of Mihama Nuclear Power Station in Fukui Prefecture, with a final decision expected to be made by the end of the year. Do you have any comments on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government’s basic concept with regard to nuclear power is to reduce our dependence on it as much as possible, and advance the introduction of thorough power saving measures and renewable energies to the utmost degree. Discussion is currently ongoing at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry with regard to the issues that will be faced in reducing dependence on nuclear power. As it is for operators to determine the appropriate course of action in regards to decommissioning individual reactors, I would like to refrain from making any comment on behalf of the Government.

REPORTER: I have a related question. What kind of impact do you think that this will have on energy supply?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have just stated, the Government intends to make every effort to promote thorough power-saving measures and the fullest introduction of renewable energies; and in so doing, reduce our dependence on nuclear power. That is the Government’s basic concept, and various operators and businesses are cooperating with us to that end.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have an extra question, continuing on from the questions that were asked in this morning’s press conference regarding the Coomaraswamy Report, which concerns the issue of comfort women. Does the Government believe that following the retraction of articles by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, in which Mr. Seiji Yoshida testified that there was forceful recruitment (of comfort women), it has thus become evident that the contents of the Coomaraswamy Report are inappropriate?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I noted in this morning’s press conference, it is extremely regrettable that the report does not take into account the Government’s basic stance and endeavors with regard to this issue. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper has recently retracted the articles that you mentioned. Speaking on behalf of the Government, if it is the case that misunderstandings have occurred among the international community concerning the comfort women issue, the Government will redouble its efforts to explain our basic stance and endeavors in this regard.

REPORTER: I have an additional question. On August 29, the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued observations in which it called on the Government of Japan to provide adequate reparation to comfort women, and to bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations. This and other reports, particularly from UN forums, based on erroneous evidence, are increasingly proliferating. Does the Government intend to implement response measures, including sending out information in particular to UN forums?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government has already pointed out that the use of the term “sexual slavery” in the United Nations Human Rights Committee was extremely inappropriate. In addition, the Government intends to continue to firmly emphasize and explain to the international community its stance and endeavors with regard to this issue.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Although the issue of the testimony of Mr. Seiji Yoshida is not one of any concern to me, it was the case that back in the 1990s, the accepted consensus among scholars was that his testimony was false. Since then, the general understanding that has remained unchanged among scholars, regardless of the testimony of Mr. Yoshida, is that that there was so-called broad coercion. Although it is certainly the case that there may not have been forcible recruitment in the case of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Kono Statement implies that overall, there was indirect coercion in which the Japanese authorities were involved, and there are some who believe that the retraction of the Yoshida testimony will have no impact on this. What are your views? As Mr. Yoshida’s testimony has been retracted, does this mean that the acceptance of indirect coercion in the Kono Statement will also be lost?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government’s clear stance is that there was no forceful recruitment. The recent retraction of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper articles is another instance which makes it clear that there was no such forceful recruitment, is it not?

REPORTER: I believe the point is that the Kono Statement, while not acknowledging forceful recruitment, does accept that overall there was coercion involved. With regard to this point, as the Government has stated that it will maintain the Kono Statement, are we to understand that recent developments will have no impact on the Government’s view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Given that the Coomaraswamy Report quoted the testimony from the Asahi Shimbun newspaper articles*, I believe that it is important for the Government to firmly explain our stance and endeavors on this issue.

REPORTER: The problems with the Coomaraswamy Report were identified by scholars back in the 1990s, including Mr. Yoshida’s testimony. What I am asking is whether there is any impact on the Government’s acceptance, as contained in the Kono Statement, that there was coercion in a broad sense. I sense that discussion on this issue has become rather contorted. What are your views?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated, in the Coomaraswamy Report….

REPORTER: I am not asking about the Coomaraswamy Report, but the Government’s stance with regard to the Kono Statement.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government’s stance on the Kono Statement is clear. As I have stated on repeated occasions, the Government will continue to uphold the Kono Statement.

REPORTER: I have one point I’d like to confirm. So what you are saying is that the Government does not accept that there was forceful recruitment in the case of the ROK, but accepts that there was indirect coercion, with women overall being coerced into working? Are we to understand that there is no change to such recognition?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What we are talking about is not indirect coercion or coercion in a broad sense; but rather that the consistent Government stance has been to uphold the Kono Statement. There is no change to that stance.

REPORTER: I have one final I wish to confirm. I believe that back in the 1990s, it was generally accepted among scholars that there was no forceful recruitment with regard to the ROK. In the case of Indonesia, women of Dutch descent were directly and forcibly recruited by Japanese military forces in the Semarang Comfort Women Incident. It has been argued since the 1990s that this example constitutes what is defined as forceful recruitment. You have stated the Government’s position that there was no forceful recruitment, which, according to the study into the Kono Statement, would appear at first glance to be correct. However, are we to understand that cases in Indonesia and in other Southeast Asian regions, where the Japanese military forces could be directly involved, do not constitute forceful recruitment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What I am saying is that overall, we should entrust decisions on such matters to historians. The Government’s stance with regard to the Kono Statement is clear. A Cabinet decision was also taken which clearly states that there was no forceful recruitment*.

REPORTER: Was that Cabinet decision made in regard to the ROK?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What?

REPORTER: I could understand if the decision was made concerning the comfort women issue in the ROK.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A Cabinet decision was made at the time of the first Abe administration, which clearly stated with regard to the Kono Statement that there was no forceful recruitment*.

REPORTER: If that is the case, is the Semarang Comfort Women Incident classified as forceful recruitment or not?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What the Government is saying with regard to the Kono Statement is made clear in the Cabinet decision. This is an issue on which there are varying views among historians, and the Government has continued to state that it is an issue that historians should be left to decide. The Government’s basic stance is to not bring diplomacy or politics into this issue.

REPORTER: I have one last point of confirmation. Are we to understand, therefore, that the Semarang Comfort Women Incident should be left for historians to discuss?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government’s position is that to the best of its knowledge, no recorded references can be found indicating that so-called forceful recruitment by the military or government authorities took place. That is the view that the Government states with regard to specific matters. That is all.

REPORTER: The Government of the Netherlands has issued a report concerning the incident in Indonesia involving Dutch nations, which states that forceful recruitment took place from its point of view. Are we to understand that this incident does not constitute forceful recruitment from the stance of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government states that such matters should be left to historians to discuss.

REPORTER: So can we understand that the Government’s view with regard to the case of Dutch nationals in Indonesia is that it should be left to historians to discuss?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: You have mentioned a specific case by name, but the Government’s continued with regard to this issue overall is that it should be left to historians to research.

REPORTER: Governor Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture has given a press conference today in which he referred to New Komeito’s support for a resolution in the prefectural assembly, which called for halting construction work off the coast of Henoko, noting that that he holds slightly different ideas on the issue. Given that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is currently seeking cooperation from New Komeito in the prefectural gubernatorial election, I believe that a comment like this from the candidate himself will have any impact on the election. What do you think about this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government is not aware of the details of the governor’s comments. Therefore I would like to refrain from making any comment. However, for the last 18 years the Government has recognized the need to eliminate the dangers presented by Futenma Air Station, which is currently said to be the most potentially dangerous of the bases, while maintaining deterrence capabilities under the Japan-U.S. alliance relationship. Against that backdrop the relocation to Henoko represents just one decision among many that the Government is acting on. It was at the end of last year that Governor Nakaima approved the landfill application at Henoko and the Government is now working earnestly and steadily to make progress with construction. The Government’s stance is to do everything possible to reduce the burden of the bases on Okinawa. As I have also recently been appointed as Minister in charge of Alleviating the Burden of the Bases in Okinawa, I believe that the excessive burden of the bases on Okinawa must be resolved by other areas around the nation accepting the deployment of U.S. bases. I will make every effort to that end.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the reinvestigation of the abduction issue. There are some who believe that the report to be issued by the Special Investigation Committee will be delayed. What is the current status of the coordination of the investigations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I initially stated that a report was expected within an approximate timeframe of the end of the summer or early autumn, so I think that a report will be forthcoming within such a timeframe.

REPORTER: What is the current status of investigations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the current time, I cannot make any announcements about the status of investigations.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning Japan-China relations. There are gradual moves from the governments of Japan and China seeking to improve bilateral relations in the run-up to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November. Do you believe that positive developments are progressing in this regard?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have often stated, as the world’s second and third-largest economic powers, Japan and China should play a significant role in contributing to the peace and prosperity not just of the region, but also of the world. In that sense, Japan has not refused to hold meetings just because such issues exist, and the Government will continue to maintain its stance that Japan’s door is always open for dialogue, in accordance with our concept of the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. Bearing this in mind, the Government will firmly respond to this matter.

REPORTER: Given that the November APEC meeting is fast approaching, do you have any expectations that the newly appointed leadership of the LDP, namely Secretary-General Tanigaki and Chair of the General Council Nikai, will use their own channels of communication with China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are various channels of communication with China in addition to Mr. Tanigaki’s and Mr. Nikai’s, including the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, and it is through channels like these that continue to be used to conduct various economic, cultural and local government exchanges. I believe that it is extremely important to deepen mutual understanding through such exchanges.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Going back to the first topic, decommissioning Mihama Nuclear Power Station, I believe that if the Mihama reactors are to be decommissioned, this could have repercussions for other aging reactors, such as the No. 1 reactor at Tsuruga Nuclear Power Station. What are the thoughts of the Government on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There is absolutely no change to the Government’s stance that if that the approval of local residents has been attained with regard to nuclear power stations confirmed safe by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, then those power stations will be restarted. However, as their safety standards are the most stringent in the world, I expect that any decision on restarting power stations will be made by the operators.

REPORTER: Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Shunichi Yamaguchi is scheduled to visit Okinawa on September 9 and 10. As you have been appointed Minister in charge of Alleviating the Burden of the Bases in Okinawa, do you have any plans to visit Okinawa?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to visit Okinawa before the convocation of the Diet session.

REPORTER: I have a point of confirmation with regard to the comfort women issue. In the first half of this press conference you stated several times that the Government stance is that there was no forcefulness.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I said there was no forceful recruitment*.

REPORTER: You said no forceful recruitment.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes. I said that the Government stance is that there was no forceful recruitment*.

REPORTER: If that is the case, can we assume that you were speaking with the expressions used in the Kono Statement in mind?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Well, with regard to the recent developments concerning Mr. Yoshida’s testimony, the case of Indonesia has also been investigated and the Government’s stance is that no documentation could be found indicating forceful recruitment took place.

REPORTER: In the case of Indonesia also?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes.

REPORTER: Oh, really? Can I ask a further question? I’m not sure about statements made in the past, but does your current statement also take into account the contents of the report that was issued some years ago by the Government of the Netherlands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: That is my understanding, yes. The case of Indonesia was also investigated and the Government’s view is that no documentation could be found indicating forceful recruitment took place.

REPORTER: I believe the case of Indonesia involved Japanese military forces directly taking women to be placed in comfort stations. What is the Government’s interpretation of such acts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I will confirm the details once again thereof. However, at the current point, my understanding is as I have stated it.

REPORTER: The Government of Japan is saying that forceful recruitment did not take place, and that a Cabinet decision has also been made on the issue. However, there is growing international recognition in Europe and the United States, for example, that such acts took place. How will the Government respond to this matter in terms of external public relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is already providing explanations about the truth of the matter and about the Government’s stance, particularly in the United States. The Government will continue to firmly explain its stance on this issue.

 

*Clarification and Correction Concerning the Press Conference of the Chief Cabinet Secretary on September 5, 2014 (PM) 

• With regard to the comment made in the afternoon press conference that “there was no forceful recruitment,” we would like to clarify that the intent of the comment was to explain that “there was no documentation directly indicating forceful recruitment.”
• In addition, the Chief Cabinet Secretary stated that “The Asahi Shimbun newspaper articles were quoted in the Coomaraswamy Report.” However, it is not the case that the report includes any explicit quotations from the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Nonetheless, the report does include sections relating to the testimony of Mr. Seiji Yoshida. It is from this perspective that the Government has determined there is no mistaking that the report was influenced by the contents of the now-retracted Asahi Shimbun newspaper articles.